Scoble: Sensors, Tracking Worth Giving Up Privacy for Utility

By Tiernan Ray

At a standing-room-only keynote at the SXSW conference this afternoon, futurist pundit Robert Scoble discussed with Consumer Electronics Association chief Gary Shapiro, and moderator Kevin O'Malley, his notion that the future is coming to something he terms “contextual systems,” which are primarily a collection of sensors in devices that more and more invade the details of one's life, but in a positive way, said Scoble.

Scoble cited devices such as the Cubehome sensor, a stylish white box that detects air temperature, humidity, CO2 content, and other factors to help you optimize home climate. He cited sensors put in running shoes and clothing, etc.

The combination of sensors everywhere and smart apps like Moves and TripIt that utilize the output data, mean, said Scoble, that he is willing to give up his personal life to the software.

“If you had told me 15 years ago or so, when SXSW started, that I would give up access to my email and such to a third party, I would have said that's crazy,” said Scoble.

Robert Scoble poses for pics with fans post SXSW keynote.

But today, “I am all in; I will give away my privacy for utility,” said Scoble.

Asked about things coming in the next five years, Scoble talked about the “Automatic” device that “turns your car into an API,” or application programming interface, and how you can get an insight into where the car is through your Google (GOOG) Glass. He talked about the new Mercedes that connects automagically to your phone, making the car in a sense a peripheral to your phone.

Shapiro added, auto makers are “selling themselves as technology companies” more than ever.

Shapiro predicted “we are on a clear path to a driverless car,” despite many, many issues, including how does an automated car decide in a collision situation whether to preserve you the driver, or someone else in the other car. “There are issues but we will get there.”

Asked for a closing statement, Scoble remarked, “Numbers of sensors on us and around us are going way, way up. It's changing how we communicate with our door locks and everything else. And it's too the point where ordinary people can afford it. It's the first year I felt I could do my own home automation without being a nerd.”

Shapiro ended with a commercial for his trade show: “We are fortunate: we are infants in this thing, wireless, digital, broadband. Join the innovation movement! Come to CES!”

About Tech Trader Daily

Tech Trader Daily is a blog on technology investing written by Barron’s veteran Tiernan Ray. The blog provides news, analysis and original reporting on events important to investors in software, hardware, the Internet, telecommunications and related fields. Comments and tips can be sent to: techtraderdaily@barrons.com.